26 Sep 10 Secrets to Selling Your Home Faster
Selling your home quickly not only allows you to move on with your life, it also means fewer days of keeping your home in pristine condition and leaving every time your agent brings prospective buyers for a tour. You may be looking to buy a new property and can’t make an offer until your old home is sold, freeing up your mortgage.
So how can you lower your stress and increase your likelihood to sell quickly? Here are 10 secrets to a quick property sale:
#10 Time Your Listing
You don’t always have control over when you list your home. If a new job comes up at Christmas, you probably won’t wait for months to accept because you think a spring market will be better to sell.
However, if you do have a choice, March to May have historically resulted in shorter sales times across Canada than any other period. Given the choice, try to list in the Spring or summer and avoid the dead of winter. Your house will look better with summer sunlight than sub zero snow.
#9 Think National, Act Local
Your local market doesn’t always follow national historic averages. It is important to check with a local REALTOR® to determine what is happening in your market.
For example, January 2018 saw a dramatic national drop in new listings. However, there were pockets across the country that saw increases. Talk to a professional and get informed. Ask for objective and unbiased data that will indicate whether now is the right time for you to sell.
#8 The Price is Right
Selling your home isn’t a game show so don’t gamble on it. Pricing a house right from the start can make the difference to both the speed and price you get. Price a house too high and it may sit, requiring you to lower it later. People who see a lowered price may wonder what is wrong with your property or come in with low-ball offers which actually undervalue your property.
A REALTOR® can do a Comparative Market Analysis so you understand the proper value of your home. If you really want an accurate price, speak with a professional valuator. They cost a few hundred dollars but could save you thousands not to mention your time.
When you are considering selling your home with Keylo Care, you will be provided a free home valuation as part of our services, plus expert recommendations on the appropriate pricing strategy.
#7 Clean Your House
Wiping down the counters and throwing out the garbage are obvious ways to help your house sell. What is less obvious is removing clutter.
If you have a lot of ‘stuff’ in your home it feels smaller and closed in. If you can’t do without all of the things in your life, consider renting a small storage locker where you can put some of them out of sight. Make sure your closets and storage spaces are only half full and well organized; potential buyers will feel like there is extra storage space. Clean out the junk, even if it means hiring a professional cleaning company.
#6 Let There Be Light!
People love spaces that are light and bright. The best way to show off your home is to let the sun shine in. Always open blinds and shades and turn on lights in a dark room. Even when a kitchen has natural light, it is worth turning on lights.
It is okay to make a buyer wait outside while you or your agent turns on all the lights. You want the first impression to be a great one. An entrance with a ‘WOW’ because you can see down the halls and into open space is better than a dark, unknown void.
#5 Smells like Teen Spirit
Some people may like the smell of cookies, other people may like cinnamon. What everyone can agree is that nobody likes a bad smelling house.
If you have a musty basement, find out the cause and fix it so that your potential buyer doesn’t wrinkle their nose when they walk downstairs. Have teenagers with bedrooms that smell worse than a gym locker? Clean everything and let the fresh air in.
Remember: odorless is better than what you think smells nice. Nobody is offended by odorless. Don’t start guessing at a buyer’s favourite smell and avoid heavy chemicals as some people may think you’re hiding something.
#4 Walk the Dog
Do not have pets around when your house is shown. Also, remove (or hide) extras that accompany pet ownership like food dishes or litter boxes.
You may love your pet dog, cat or rattlesnake, but others may be afraid of them. You want a buyer’s visit to your home to be exceptional from start to finish. A chance pet encounter could scare off what would otherwise be a potential offer. A prospective buyer shouldn’t even know that a pet lives in the home if you can help it.
#3 Spread the Word
Your REALTOR® can list your home on MLS but your friends and neighbours are exceptional resources when trying to sell your home. Friends will rave about the backyard bbq you had together last summer while neighbours will preach the values of the neighbourhood (hopefully since they live there).
A few social media posts and a neighbourhood invitation to your open house can go a long way to spreading the word about your home. A comprehensive, custom marketing plan is created for you when you sign up with Keylo Care, but even then … You should be marketing yourself as well.
#2 Avoid Excess Upgrades
Some quick fixes like a fresh coat of paint are worth the investment. Others, like completely renovating your basement, may not. Consider replacing door handles, cabinet hardware, closet doors, curtains and faucets. These are easy to do and can be low cost.
The only exception to this rule may be your kitchen. The kitchen is the centre of any home and a place where most people will spend a lot of time. If your kitchen looks old and worn, you may want to consider some upgrades like painting, new cabinet hardware (even replacing loose handles can help) or changing counter tops.
#1 Curb Appeal
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. If people think your house looks great when they walk to the front door they’re more likely to make an offer. A few low cost shrubs and flowers will usually get a 100% return on investment and set the tone for when buyers walk in. Make buyers feel welcome and safe before they walk in the front door.
If you want to learn more about how to stage your home for a sale, check out our staging 101 with these, and more tips to break down want you should do to attract potential buyers.
Follow these 10 secrets to impress buyers and your home will sell faster. And if you’re looking for a great agent to help you sell your home, click here and we’ll get you started.
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